Subash strolled through the lively streets, watching children run past as magical lamps glowed beneath the night sky. Laughter, music, and the scent of food filled the air.
(Even though it's only been a month since the nation was created—and just one day since I named it—it already feels like it's been here for hundreds of years.)
The Nova Nation was already far more developed than any human or high-human nation Subash had seen in his journeys.
He continued walking through the festival, watching people play games, laugh, and enjoy the night.
(It feels good… I've never experienced something like this. In just a few hundred years, so much has changed.)
Stopping at a stall, he pointed at the sweets. "One candy."
The shopkeeper, Vanyth, smiled warmly. "Of course, Subash-sama."
She handed him the candy, and he nodded in gratitude.
As he walked away, he examined the treat.
(I've never eaten anything before. I never needed food, so I simply never bothered. Might as well try it… just once.)
He took a bite—his eyes widened immediately at the burst of sweetness and liquid filling.
(WOW. I never imagined something could taste this good.)
He continued eating happily, stopping by multiple shops and collecting more candy. People greeted him politely, but he barely responded, too focused on enjoying his new discovery.
Later that night, after stuffing himself with sweets, he sat on a mountain overlooking his beautiful nation.
"You can come out now, Draven," he said without looking back.
Draven stepped from the shadows and bowed. Subash glanced at him.
"Don't just stand there. Sit."
"If the lord wishes," Draven replied, sitting beside him. The two watched the glowing festival in silence.
Subash finally spoke. "Today was nice… but there's still a lot of work. We need to expand the nation fast. It's only half finished."
"Don't worry, Subash-sama," Draven assured him. "The rest will be completed in a few days. And right now, there are more than five thousand demons in the nation. Ravena and Velmora will return with their own soon, so there will be even more work."
Subash nodded and handed Draven a candy.
Draven froze, eyes watering. (Subash-sama… gave me candy… I'll treasure this forever.)
Subash watched him, confused.
(This dude is super weird.)
---
The next day, Velmora and Ravena stood before him.
"Oh? You two have returned," Subash said.
"Yes, Subash-sama. We brought all our demons with us," they replied.
"Good. Then start training the soldiers. They're weak now, but they won't stay that way. And don't kill them."
Both nodded, and with a snap of Subash's fingers, they were teleported away.
They appeared in a massive arena—an entire world created by Subash.
"This is your battlefield," Subash explained. "Nothing here can be destroyed by anyone under level 90. There's an invisible barrier keeping your attacks inside. The laws of life and death don't apply—if you die, you'll respawn here. This isn't just an arena… it's a small world I created."
The soldiers stood there, shocked as Subash smiled at them.
"Work hard and become strong. If you stay weak, the world will erase you from history—just like it erased the Crownless King."
He teleported away, leaving the soldiers stunned.
Velmora and Ravena exchanged identical smirks.
(So no one can die here… and nothing can be destroyed? We can go all out.)
The soldiers and demons shivered but stood firm. If they wanted to protect the nation, they had to grow stronger.
---
Back in his office, Subash looked up as Lilithra entered calmly.
"Subash-sama, I have a question."
"Ask."
"I heard what you said in the arena. Who is the Crownless King?"
Subash's smile faded for a moment. Lilithra quickly added, "If you don't want to tell me, you don't have to."
But he smiled again. "It's fine. If you want to know, I'll tell you."
Lilithra listened closely.
"The Crownless King's name was Alex. Just a normal human. But he had a will no one else had. He was the first being in the world to give me a serious fight—and he nearly killed me. He didn't just fight… he taught me something I never understood."
Subash paused.
"He taught me there's more to this world than destruction. After fighting him, I completely changed. I stopped being the Void Dragon of Destruction and became someone who could lead a nation. If I hadn't met Alex, I would still be the same monster I used to be. History may have forgotten him… but I won't."
Lilithra's eyes widened.
(Someone strong enough to injure Subash-sama… someone who nearly killed him… but whom Subash still considers undefeated.)
She felt a strange ache in her chest. As a Primordial Demon, she understood too well the loneliness at the top—where no one could challenge you, and nothing could excite you.
Alex had changed that for Subash.
And now Subash had changed everything for them.